[joyfull]

About a week ago I mentioned two of my girls had gone missing - a couple of others had also mentioned the same thing. Well sadly I found my lavender araucana caught up in some wire dead (other chickens being very chickeny and attacking her)  . I feared the worse for my black silkie/araucana cross but was fairly certain I had seen her around eating.
Well today after visiting PC world and buying things for work I pulled onto my drive and there she was. However she wasn't alone as all around her was 9 yes 9 little day old chicks (one I picked up still hadn't quite fluffed up so I knew it had hatched this morning) a mixture of lavender ones and black ones with yellow bums. I have always wanted to hatch this way - no broody box, no candling, no counting the days and no worrying - just like would have happened in the old days on Ma and Pa Larkins farm 
To say that I am sitting here grinning like a Cheshire cat is a bit of an understatement, I don't know whether to laugh or cry or both. She has been sat on them in the nettles, the only trouble now is that whilst I know the father will be a lavender araucana the mums could be silkie crosses or araucanas, still who cares I now have 9 unplanned mouths to feed 

[sarah f]

aww thats  a lovely surprise to come home to 

[Mosslane]

Thats lovely Joyful. We have just booked to come over to Holbeach 2-7 July so look forward to seeing you and them.

[joyfull]

the baby guinea fowl should have hatched by then as well so you will be able to see them 

[tosca100]

Brilliant...the old ways are the best, if they work!

Er....where are the pics?

[joyfull]

when I tried to give them some chick crumb she took them back into the nettles - but don't worry I will keep trying and will make sure I take the camera out with me every time. Still grinning like a mad woman at the moment 

[andreadon]

awww, that's really lovely! 

yes, we need pictures. you know the rules!   

[GrannieAnnie]

Awww, I'm really pleased for you Joy,  shame about the Lavender, but these things happen sometimes.   

[raeburg]

That's great news to hear

[joyfull]

well more bad news she has rejected one of them the last born (all it wants is to sit under her and can't keep up with those that are a couple of days older  ), so I was in two minds do I race down to Grannie Annie's (yet again) and borrow her brooder box that had just become empty from me bringing the sablepoots back or do I take a risk?
So I decided to gamble on Claudette my tree dwelling broody silkie cross that I have to keep turfing out of the nest box. I placed Lucky (temporary name) near her and at first Claudette went to peck her but a little tap on her beak stopped that, I left them alone for a couple of minutes and went back to see and Lucky is tucked up underneath her new mummy  So that's my good news 

[lukasmum]

What a lovely story Joyfull. Congrats on your unexpected babies!

[tosca100]

Awwww how wonderful.

[joyfull]

well just been out to check how they are all doing and mum has abandoned them all, no sign of her but lots of little tiny chicks crying out for her all scattered everywhere  . She really is useless at this mothering thing - great at the broodying bit but just has no idea what else she is supposed to do. Anyway I think I have managed to find them all - not an easy task when you see my garden - and have placed them with Claudette who did start to protest at all these little ones trying to snuggle up to her. I have bribed her with a few meal worms and whilst she was busy tucking into them gently lifted her up a bit on one side and ushered the little ones under. I have now shut the coup up and left them in the dark, fingers crossed it will be plain sailing from now on. Looks like I will be having to make a temporary broody run  for her and the chicks.

[Foghorn-Leghorn]

Oh bless, fingers crossed Claudette does her stuff and looks after them all. 

[agingchick]

sounds like you have had a busy and exciting day Joy. Hope it all works out.
Diane